Robert L. (Bob) Whitlock, Jr., 93, of Mechanicsville and Waldorf, formerly of Pensacola, FL, died May 12, 2019. He was born in Cleveland, OH, to Robert L. Whitlock, Sr., and Mary Catherine (Wiggington) Whitlock. He was predeceased by both parents, brother James Gresham, sisters Christine Black and Nancye Mann. He was married to Dawn (Jones) Whitlock in May, 1947, with whom they had one daughter, Diana (Whitlock) Donahue. Dawn died in 1982, and he subsequently married Marlene (Warner) Whitlock. She also predeceased him.
He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII and was at Omaha Beach in Normandy during the Allied invasion of France. He returned to civilian life after the war but returned to the Navy in the mid-1950s and remained in until his retirement with 30 years in 1983 as a Master Chief. He served in Viet Nam as part of Project Trim, testing infrared side looking radar. As a result of this service, he was awarded 3 air medals. He was awarded many service and campaign ribbons. He also received several Meritorious Unit Service awards, presented for service that is preformed with character that would be comparable to the Bronze Star Medal.
Bob lived in Pensacola, FL, from his retirement until June, 2017. He moved to MD to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, Dan. He lived in The Charleston assisted living facility, where he met Louise St. Pauley. He and Louise became close friends and constant companions and she brought him great happiness during his last years.
Bob was survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Dan Donahue. He was very close to Dan and often commented that Dan was “one of the good guys.” In earlier years they worked on many projects around the house. He is survived by a granddaughter, Shannon (Donahue) Darish (Jason), with whom he spent many summers when she was young; and a grandson, Andy Donahue, who would come to the Charleston for holiday events. He had two great-grandson, Danny and Jake Darish, who visited on their way to Hawaii and drew pictures for him. He had a stepson, Steve Kirkpatrick, and two step-grandsons. Jonathan Hughes, one of his step-grandsons, was very helpful to him and helped with his several moves from home into assisted living facilities in Pensacola.
A memorial service will be held at the Charleston, 45 St. Patrick’s Drive, Waldorf, MD on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. Internment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
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